Visiting those fancy Russian Arabians again - Eye candy... or not - Do not read if you don't like Arabians

My photographer friend Michi and I visited Gut Alemich this morning. They'd advertised locally "affordable" horses for sale for show and endurance. I wanted to know what affordable means to them, and it means 5-6K euro. But we just had to go - they are the prettiest Arabians in the area and I wanted Michi to see them.

It wasn't a sham, I am still seeking a horse, but we did not accept coffee and tea - that would have been too much to ask.

Again, the place is stunning - flowers everywhere, and staff making sure everything is perfect, the stalls pristine, and the manes and tails of each of their 40 horses combed. Michi and I both noted the profuse use of straw in the stalls - the horses were up to their knees in it, every single stall. The owner lamented that our photos would not turn out because the horses are so scruffy in their Winter coats. I think they'll be just fine (but I did gimp mine because mine are pathetic in comparison to Michi's which I hope to receive soon!). (Update - I got a few from her - they're the good ones here with her name on them.)

I was curious - most of all - about the bay filly who just turned three and I'd seen her as a two year old.

But first she showed me a grey gelding started under saddle for 3500E. Affordable for me, but unfortunately he's under 15 hands - a little too small for me. He has great legs and the best face of the three we were shown today. (High in the knee/hock is the only fault I see in his legs - what do you see?) I'm starting to see a pattern that a saddle broke gelding will be much cheaper than an unbroke filly. Hm.

Here's the stallion again named Fantast - one of their champions. I like the fachwerk birdfeeder - I have always wanted one!

He's a Nagadir son - Nagadir is one of their oldest stallions and my favorite. If only I'd had the chance to catch a photo of him! He is a bay with a golden sheen to his coat like an Ahkal-Teke. I'd never seen that in an Arabian before. The bay filly Kiara that I like has it too, but you cannot see it in the photos.

Here's the pedigree of the chestnut 2 year old filly they showed us. She's 6K euros. When I walked up to her I was amazed, her withers come up to my eyes - Baasha is at my chin and he's 15HH. I cannot say for sure but I think that puts her at 15.3 at 2 years old. Good heavens. She reminds me of Mikael's horses - very long legs, long stifles, and very typy. She floats around just like Mikael's Reflection (with legs so long he's got eternal youth!).

Here is Kiana and I have a printout of her pedigree but no picture of her stall plaque: ( Handing out copies of pedigrees and registration papers to potential buyers - very nice!

She has an ice tail - is that what we call it?

She is a very unphotogenic horse - according to Michi and proven by my crappy photos. She carries herself upside down and doesn't like to show off like the others.

She's very nice - straight russian, 3 years old, a grandaughter of Nagadir and I met the father, who is one of those extremely sturdy looking Russian Arabians that I love. I'd love to see the mother but she's out on a breeding lease.

She has better legs than the chestnut but a longer back and less type.

She floats over the ground, but didn't want to go in that wet paddock to show us.

Here are some of the materials the owner gave us about her horses. I've already shown you her farm brochure in another blog entry but this is new - it's a packet of photos of their broodmares (and some others) and the backside of each has the pedigree.

Some of their horses have the biggest eyes I've ever seen - it's kind of freaky. We were shown one grey stallion with the extremist face I'd ever seen. Michi said OH MY GOD when she saw him and I was right there with her. Most classic head class, he'd win it. I didn't catch his name but he's already a champion. He had the biggest eyes, tiniest muzzle, most extreme dish, tiniest ears, omygosh he was something. If only I had a photo of him!

Before we left we took some photos of random horses in their paddocks. I was happy to see horses going out in shifts all day even though it was hailing at times. I love this blueroan grey stage this filly has. If only she'd stay this color!

The lighter one is the gelding I was shown. I wonder why they cannot seem to find halters that fit Arabians!

I had to get a photo of Kilimandscharo's stall. I asked when he died and the head groom said "Der Kili" died in the 90s. So cute, that nickname! I am only 20 years too late to see that amazing horse. At least I got to see where he lives, and touch his descendants.